Real Estate Blog by Doug Belcher RE/MAX of Nanaimo

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Real Estate market in Nanaimo continues to boom

June home sales continue to be very active with 285 homes listed and 165 sales, up 13% and 18% over last year respectively. The average price is also up 14% YTD from $283,547 to $324,082. The sales YTD is about the same as last year 1558 vs. 1622 last year.

Condo sales are down YTD by about 10% but prices are up 12%. Town home sales on the other hand are up 13% YTD and prices are also up 13% $227,428 vs. $199,768 last year. Land prices are up 10% with the average price YTD AT $172,920. Nanaimo is still a bargain compared to Victoria and Vancouver where homes are between $250,000 and $500,000 more for a comparable home.

Nanaimo Real Estate Agent numbers grow

The number of agents in town is also up about 9% from 335 to 365. This number is still well below the 550 realtors in Nanaimo 13 years ago during the last boom. When that boom ended there were only 160 agents left.

RE/MAX of Nanaimo is opening 2 new locations to accommodate its growth; a kiosk location in Woodgrove Mall and a new office in the downtown core. RE/MAX estimates that it will have aprox. 110 agents. Our new office will be open in about a month and will have aprox. 30+ agent working from this location. I will continue to work in the main office.

Ancient Burial site halts "The Tides" Condo development

"The Tides" a new condo site in Departure bay has been stopped due to an ancient native burial site found on the property. The site was to have 14 condos featuring ocean view only steps to the beach starting at about $600,000. The sales for these units was to begin August 12, 2007.

This is not the first building set back in recent times for a Nanaimo builder. A fire destroyed the condos at 580 Stewart Ave back in September of last year. The complex with 9 town homes and 21 condos is now almost finished with 9 units left to sell.

Powering up for the 21st century

(NC)—The ultimate in window covering control is now available. It is a perfect blend of advanced technology and simplicity for the 21st-century consumer. Called Hunter Douglas Platinum Technology, it combines the best features of infrared and radio frequency control and is offered on both battery powered and hard-wired window fashions from Hunter Douglas. What's more, Platinum Technology can be easily integrated into new or existing home automation systems. For more information call 1-800-265-1363.

Credit: www.newscanada.com

Beautifying your bathroom in five simple steps

(NC)—Given how much time we spend in the bathroom, it's no surprise that this space is considered one of the most important rooms to renovate. Rest assured, upgrading your bathroom does not need to be a long and expensive process. Consider the following five simple projects to enhance your bathroom's look and functionality from the experts at The Home Depot Canada:

1. Renew reflection: Rethinking a bathroom's mirror collection can help eliminate dark areas in large bathrooms and help make small bathrooms seem larger. Define the room's environment by selecting a different shape or frame from the traditional large mirror above the sink. Add a full length mirror on the door or a small mirror on a side wall for extra convenience.

2. Brighten the bathroom: Changing a bathroom's lighting is an easy project that can dramatically change the atmosphere. Choose lights that fit the bathroom's style whether track lighting, vanity lights or wall-mounted lamps. Consider adding a dimmer for evenings when you need a relaxing soak in the tub.

3. Improve ventilation: A proper exhaust fan will cut through steam and reduce humidity that can cause mold and mildew over time. An exhaust fan's capacity is usually rated in cubic feet per minute (cfm) with an average bathroom needing a 50 cfm capacity fan. Other considerations when buying an exhaust fan include noise level, energy efficiency and built-in lights.

4. Reduce water use: The bathroom accounts for about 65 per cent of all indoor water use so a simple water reduction project can have significant effects on your bills and the environment. Installing a low-flow toilet can cut toilet water use by as much as 50 per cent. A faucet aerator for the sink is inexpensive and reduces the flow of water by 25 per cent to 50 per cent, while providing the same water pressure. Complete the project by switching to a low-flow showerhead.

5. Accessorize: Make the bathroom more stylish by installing smartly selected bathroom accessories and fixtures. Besides the normal racks, towel rings, and soap dishes consider adding a magazine holder, shampoo and soap dispensers, a fun shower curtain or even a towel warmer.

For more information on easy projects and tips that can enhance the bathroom, visit homedepot.ca or The Home Depot in your community.

Credit: www.newscanada.com

Luxury showers make bathrooms hi-tech

(NC)—Showering has become more than what happens in between waking up and eating breakfast. Today's showers are equipped with multiple shower heads, strategically placed nozzles and body sprays, and overhead showering panels that deliver exceptional water delivery with mood enhancing light sequences. And, to top it off – your favorite tunes.

More and more homeowners are splurging big time to outfit their bathrooms with the latest high-tech offerings. To put it simply, if you're still showering with just one showerhead – it's time to catch up.

Leading the charge in offering consumers the latest in personalized showering innovations is Kohler. Its WaterTile Ambient Rain overhead showering panel combines 54-nozzle spray heads with mood-enhancing coloured light sequences for chromatherapy. Top that off with Kohler's new SoundTile for a showering experience that is the ultimate in luxury and sound.

"Performance showering continues to grow in popularity since it was introduced a few years ago. At Kohler, we are constantly developing new and innovative products for this category," said Donna Church of Kohler Canada. "Our products deliver the ultimate luxurious bathing and showering experience inside the home."

Most people will agree that they use their shower more than their bathtub due to the convenience showering provides. High performance showers create a luxurious, relaxing experience on a daily basis. The beauty of the products is that they are designed for convenience. And with today's busy lifestyle, who can't appreciate that?

More information is available online at www.kohler.com.

Credit: www.newscanada.com

Consumers getting bolder with colour

Small spaces like bathrooms are a good place to experiment with wall colour, such as PARA Paints' Castle Marne (P860-2), pictured on the walls of this powder room.

(NC)—More and more Canadians are experimenting with colour on their walls. That's the finding of a survey by PARA Paints, in polling its more than 400 paint dealers across the country.

The study, conducted in late 2006, shows that only 39 per cent of consumers prefer neutral colours for their walls. This compares to a 2002 PARA survey which revealed that 90 per cent of consumers opted for neutral colours – such as whites, beiges, and grays – when painting their homes.

According to the survey, green is the number one choice, with 15 per cent of consumers choosing green shades for their rooms. Red and yellow are next, with 13 and 12 per cent of consumers, respectively, opting for these two hues. Blue is chosen by four per cent of consumers.

If you haven't yet experimented beyond neutral paints, PARA recommends introducing colour on a small scale. Begin with any one room, such as a bedroom, dining room or living room. If you're apprehensive, small spaces like bathrooms or dressing rooms are safe bets. An entranceway is another good area to try out brighter tones, since you get only glimpses of the space as you move through.

Choose from this season's hottest colours, including leafy greens, ocean blues, and harvest reds, oranges and yellows. PARA's top picks for the fall include Castle Marne (P860-2) green, Lagoon (P1567-2) blue, Garneta (P315-5) red, and Yarrow Point (P698-2) yellow.

More information is available at www.para.com or by calling 1-800-461-PARA.

Credit: www.newscanada.com